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2. 2 Session Objectives  Familiarize participants with barriers to access commonly faced by individuals with disabilities; commonly faced by individuals with disabilities;  Provide an overview of the Section 504 & ADA requirements applicable to CDBG recipients; and  Provide information resources for Section 504/ADA issues.

3. 3 Common Challenges to Providing Access for Individuals with Disabilities  Effective auxiliary aids and services for individuals with communication disabilities;  Policies, procedures and practices; and  Physical access to and within buildings for individuals with disabilities.

4. Section 504 “No otherwise qualified individual with a disability … shall, solely by reason of her or his disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance or under any program or activity conducted by any Executive agency …” 29 U.S.C. 794 (emphasis added) 4

5. ADA Title II “… no qualified individual with a disability shall, by reason of such disability, be excluded from participation in or be denied the benefits of the services, programs, or activities of a public entity, or be subjected to discrimination by any such entity.” 42 U.S.C. 12132 (emphasis added) 42 U.S.C. 12132 (emphasis added) 5

6. Qualified Individual with a Disability An individual is qualified if s/he meets the essential eligibility requirements with or without:  Reasonable modifications to rules, policies or practices;  Auxiliary aids and services; or  Removal of architectural, communications or transportation barriers. 6

7. Section 504 Coverage Section 504 covers all programs, services and activities of recipients of HUD financial assistance, including:   Outreach and public contact, including contact with program applicants and participants;   Eligibility criteria;   Application process;   Admission to the program;   Service delivery; and   Employment policies and practices See 24 C.F.R. Part 8 7

8. 8 Designate Responsible Person Develop/Update Self-Evaluation Develop/Update Transition Plan Implement Informal Grievance Procedure Provide Public Notice ADA Title II Substantive Requirements General Nondiscrimination Requirement Employment Effective Communication Auxiliary Aids & Services Program (Facility) Access Transportation Administrative Requirements

9. 9 Effective Communication People with disabilities that affect communication are entitled to auxiliary aids and services, unless the result is a fundamental alteration, undue burden or undue hardship.

10. 10 How Do You Interact with Your Customers?  Face-to-face  Telephone  Mail  E-mail  Website  Other

11. 11 Auxiliary Aids and Services  Auxiliary aids and services facilitate effective communication.  Fees may not be charged for auxiliary aids and services.

12. Examples of Auxiliary Aids or Services   Assistive listening devices   Qualified ASL or other types of interpreters for persons with hearing loss   Communication access real-time translation / Real-time transcription services   Accessible formats such as large print, Braille, electronic document, or audio tapes   Qualified readers 12

13. Architectural Access as a Civil Right: Facility Management and 504/ADA  504/ADA’s “program access” requirements for state and local governments:  New Construction;  Alterations;  Existing Buildings (when changes are planned)  2010 Standards

14. 14 A Proactive Approach  Implementing the requirements of 504/ ADA, civil rights laws, is the direct route to creating a customer-oriented culture that includes individuals with disabilities.

15. A Proactive Approach: How accessible are our activities?  How do people learn of accommodations available?  Has an assessment of communication barriers been made?  Are there physical barriers to remove?  Do we design our projects and programs to ensure that persons with disabilities can participate and benefit?  Do our partners/grantees have policies and practices in place to ensure inclusion of persons with disabilities? 15

16. 16 A Proactive Approach  Familiarize yourself with the facility's accessibility features and accommodation protocol.  Respond courteously to all accommodation requests and be sure to promptly direct the request to appropriate personnel who can assist.

17. 17 Information Resources  U.S. Department of Justice www.ada.gov 800.514.0301 www.ada.gov 800.514.0301www.ada.gov  ADA National Network www.adata.org 800.949.4232 www.adata.org 800.949.4232www.adata.org  Job Accommodation Network www.askjan.org 800.232.9675 www.askjan.org 800.232.9675www.askjan.org

18. State ADA Coordinator Georgia State Financing and Investment Commission The Construction Division State ADA Coordinator's Office 270 Washington Street, Second Floor Atlanta, Georgia 30334 Phone: 404.463.5645 Fax: 404.463-5650 TTY: 404.657.9993 Website: www.ada.ga.gov 18

19. 19 Thank you! Comments or Questions?